The view this week of Embassy Park, the Theatre's front garden. PHOTO: Foster Group.
Kia ora from the Theatre Manager
Gus Sharp
With opening night on the horizon, the Waikato Regional Theatre is starting to feel very real. The hard hats are coming off, the lights are being switched on, and the focus is now on rehearsals, systems and people, rather than concrete and cables.
Behind the scenes, teams are learning the building, testing how it works, and getting ready to welcome artists and audiences through the doors.
There’s still a final push ahead, but the shift from construction site to living, breathing theatre has well and truly begun.
Theatre construction and support stories.
For show news and how to subscribe for event updates from the Waikato Regional Theatre, see down below.
New Fund boosts Waikato arts momentum as Theatre opens
With the opening of the Waikato Regional Theatre fast approaching, the project’s initiator and primary fundraiser is introducing a further boost to local arts and culture.
Momentum Waikato is launching the ‘Momentum Waikato Arts, Culture and Creativity Fund’, the first of its planned suite of ‘focus funds’ that will enable everyday people to take advantage of its ‘smart giving’ philanthropic investment model to back their favoured cause.
The MW Arts, Culture and Creativity Fund has been kick-started with opening donations from two local arts supporters who, independent of each other, wanted to celebrate and amplify Momentum’s key role in building the new Theatre, through setting up an endowment to further support the Waikato’s artistic development and cultural activity.
Creative Waikato CEO Dr Jeremy Mayall welcomes the move.
"Creative Waikato is very pleased to support the Momentum Waikato Arts, Culture and Creativity Fund,” says Jeremy.
Waikato Regional Theatre Project History
The Waikato Regional Theatre Project History page on the Share the Stage site has been updated every few months over the last four years, and with the building now completed and opening day approaching on 19 January 2026, the story is coming to a close.
Read the Waikato Regional Theatre Project History.
Waikato Times: ’Stat you? Riff Raff under wraps, but with a Valentine's Day Rocky Horror party to look forward to
By Mike Mather, Tuesday 9 December 2025.
Riff Raff might be well trussed up for now, but a big celebration is planned on February 14 is planned to mark his return. PHOTO: Kelly Hodel / WAIKATO TIMES.
Hamilton’s favourite - and possibly least controversial - statue is soon to make a triumphant return to his traditional home in Embassy Park.
Actually, Riff Raff is already back. He’s just all wrapped up and nonchalantly tucked away in a corner of the park outside the new Waikato Regional Theatre.
Waikato Times: Waikato Regional Theatre's 102-year-old rebuilt staircase 'icing on the cake' as construction ends
By Mike Mather, Monday 1 December 2025.
Senior carpenter Johno Weston says restoring the American oak staircase at the Waikato Regional Theatre has been the icing on the cake of his career. PHOTO: Mark Taylor / WAIKATO TIMES.
A century-old American staircase, likely ascended by Queen Elizabeth II, is the crowning glory for the builders of the Waikato Regional Theatre.
There’s all kinds of elements of Hamilton’s new theatre that its builders, led by Fosters Construction, will be proud of.
Possibly the most will be the 102-year-old staircase made from American oak that was among elements salvaged from the theatre’s predecessor, the old Hamilton Hotel.
The imposing and still-pristine staircase was a significant part of what was actually the second Hamilton Hotel, built on the site after the original hotel was destroyed by fire in 1922.
Waikato Times: The unnamed - Sponsorships for stadium, theatre up for grabs
By Mike Mather, Tuesday 25 November 2025.
It’s likely there will soon be a big logo up on the side of the flytower above the Waikato Regional Theatre - but the question is whose? PHOTO: Mark Taylor / WAIKATO TIMES.
Two of Hamilton’s most iconic events venues are now - or are soon to be - without a name.
But the lack of a formal moniker for the Waikato Regional Theatre and the soon-to-be nameless FMG Stadium Waikato represents a massive opportunity for some ultra-valuable exposure, two leading experts in brand awareness say.
Waikato Times: Curtain goes up on theatre eateries and bars
By Katie Hunter, Saturday 22 November 2025.
The new hospitality faces at the regional theatre, from left: Jonathan Knapp, Alex Hudson, Mat Pedley and John Moughan. PHOTO: Christel Yardley / WAIKATO TIMES.
Hamilton’s newest culinary offerings are preparing to step into the spotlight — and some of them have already taken centre stage.
Five distinct eateries and bars are set to open in the Waikato Regional Theatre precinct, with two already open to the public. Visitors can already get a bite to eat before washing it down with a drink at the newly opened Hamilton Hotel and revamped Wonder Horse bar.
Waikato Times: Our Hotere’s new home - $3 million mural takes pride of place in the Waikato Regional Theatre
By Mike Mather, Saturday 15 November 2025.
Art critic, collector and philanthropist Nancy Caiger - who has sponsored the part of the Waikato Regional Theatre known as the Caiger Landing - is thrilled Ralph Hotere's mural is now on display there. PHOTO: Kelly Hodel / WAIKATO TIMES.
It’s arguably Hamilton’s most significant artwork. It was probably the most unloved - for a while at least - and it is almost certainly the most valuable.
And now the iconic, large scale mural - created in 1973 by famed New Zealand artist Ralph Hotere and installed in the now-demolished Founders Theatre - has been placed inside its “forever home” in the Waikato Regional Theatre.
Waikato Times: In suspense - Fine tuning the flying system at the new Waikato Regional Theatre
By Mike Mather, Saturday 1 November 2025.
Paul Halter tests part of the 3.5 kilometres of hauling rope that flow up to the top of the fly tower. PHOTO: Kelly Hodel / WAIKATO TIMES.
He might live on the other side of the world, but it would be an understatement to say Paul Halter is among those most eagerly wanting to see some shows at the Waikato Regional Theatre.
A senior consultant with the London-based theatre and acoustic design firm Charcoalblue, Halter has flown in from the United Kingdom to oversee the commissioning of the $80 million facility’s state-of-the-art flying system.
Theatre show stories.
For the latest show information and to subscribe for email updates from the Waikato Regional Theatre visit www.waikatoregionaltheatre.co.nz.
Waikato Times: Poems of the Pacific take the stage at Waikato Regional Theatre
By Paora Manuel, Wednesday 10 December 2025.
Theatre show Upu that will take the stage at Waikato Regional Theatre in February 2026.
An award-winning theatre show will bring the poems and poetry of the pacific to the Waikato Regional Theatre in February next year.
The show, Upu - will bring together poetry to celebrate the stories, strength and spirit of the pacific based on work by renowed poets like Albert Wendt, Selina Tusitala Marsh, Hone Tuwhare, Tusiata Avia and Ben Brown and other emerging writers.
There will be two shows at the regional theatre - February 12 and 13.
Waikato Times: Bic Runga to bring fresh songs of longing and desire to Waikato Regional Theatre
By Mike Mather, Tuesday 25 November 2025.
Bic Runga has recently announced her first album of all-original material in 15 years. PHOTO: Tom Grut.
Star singer-songwriter Bic Runga - who headlined the Hamilton Arts Festival in 2024 - is the latest artists to announces she is heading to Hamilton to play at the Waikato Regional Theatre.
The newly-constructed venue, which will open its doors on January 19, is already proving to be a magnet for top level performers.
Sir Dave Dobbyn, Teeks, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Th’ Dudes, Mockers and Stellar - which is coincidentally led by Runga’s sister Boh - are among the acts already scheduled to perform there.
Bic Runga’s date at the theatre is some time after her big sister’s show in late January. She will be performing on Saturday, March 21, showcasing her forthcoming album Red Sunset.
Waikato Times: Top British comic ready to regale regional theatre audience with tales of forward thinking
By Mike Mather, Monday 24 November 2025.
British comedian Alan Davies is heading to New Zealand - with Hamilton the first stop.
Acclaimed stand-up comedian, actor, writer, and TV personality Alan Davies has announced an extensive tour of New Zealand - with the first date at Hamilton’s new Waikato Regional Theatre.
Davies is a staple of British television, known for his performance as the eponymous hero of David Renwick’s hugely popular, long-running TV series Jonathan Creek, and as a permanent panellist on QI. His talk show, Alan Davies: As Yet Untitled, recently reached its seventh season.
Waikato Times: Murder on the Dancefloor star Sophie Ellis-Bextor to play at Waikato Regional Theatre
By Mike Mather, Thursday 20 November 2025.
Sophie Ellis-Bextor, one of the leading lights of the British pop scene, will be bringing Murder on the Dancefloor and other hits to Hamilton on February 3. PHOTO: Jordan Munns.
The Waikato Regional Theatre will become disco central on Tuesday, February 3, when British pop star Sophie Ellis-Bextor comes to play.
The Hamilton venue is one of only two on her just-announced tour of New Zealand - the other being the James Hay Theatre in Christchurch.
One of the biggest British artists to emerge from the early 2000s, Ellis-Bextor established her pop diva credentials with hits like Murder On The Dancefloor, Get Over You and Take Me Home.
Waikato Times: Royal New Zealand Ballet's Sleeping Beauty to bed in at Waikato Regional Theatre
By Mike Mather, Tuesday 18 November 2025.
Kate Kadow and Laurynas Vejalis perform in the Royal New Zealand Ballet's The Sleeping Beauty. This scene was from a recent production of the version of the ballet devised by devised by New Zealand choreographer Greg Horsman. PHOTO: Stephen A'Court.
Ballet fans in the Waikato will not want to be caught napping for this production.
The Royal New Zealand Ballet’s first official show at the new Waikato Regional Theatre will be Sleeping Beauty, which will tuck itself in for a three-day residency in November next year.
Featuring the music of Russian composer Pyotr Tchaikovsky, the ballet’s story is one that will be familiar to almost everyone: A princess falls into an enchanted sleep after pricking her finger, but is eventually wakened by a kiss from her true love.
Waikato Times: Teeks secures coveted launch night slot at Waikato Regional Theatre
By Mike Mather, Tuesday 4 November 2025.
The celebrated singer-songwriter Teeks will perform at the Waikato Regional Theatre launch night on Friday, January 23.
The best new venue in New Zealand is surely deserving of the biggest name in contemporary New Zealand music.
And that’s exactly what will be happening happening at the official launch of the Waikato Regional Theatre on Friday, January 23 when the powerful voice and soulful songs of Teeks will be heard in the main auditorium.
Known to his parents as Te Karehana Gardiner-Toi, the 32-year-old from Hokianga has cemented a place in the upper echelons of this country’s music industry - largely thanks to his reserved and cerebral on-stage demeanour that has been known to hush a packed audience into complete silence.